Railing assembly



Sept. 15, 1959 w. w. THOM RAILING ASSEMBLY Filed NOV. 17, 1958 INVENTOR. Wenze/ W, Thom A TTORNE Unite States Patentfifice 2,904,314 Patented Sept. 15, 1959 RAILING ASSEMBLY Wenzel Wr'Thom; Wichita, Kane, assignorof one-half to Cecil D. Jones, Wichita, Kans.

.Application November 17,1958, Serial No. 774,302

18 Claims. (Cl. 256-65) This invention relates to improved railing structureand.

has for its primary: object :toprovide: a railing assembly which m-ay-be manufactured; at: a; minimum .cost' and fabricated in a short period of time, production of the components L of tthe assembly being greatly simplified through utilization ofrextruded metalparts forthe major unitsof the railing structure and assemblyof the. various: components into a completed railingbeingsimplified. by virtue ofithe uniquemanner inwhichztheparts are. connected, using a minimum-of fasteners.

-IIt.=-isa'-further important. object of the inventiontoprovide amraili'ng assembly including a'number of upright, horizontally spaced standards adapted :for. supporting. a plurality of parallel, superimposedrails. with spacer sleeves slidably' disosedoni the 'mainfstandard: :and engaging corresponding .connectors joined to the rails,zwithytheconnectors alsoislid'ably telescoped over respective standards and. maintained :in' proper vertically spaced-relationship bythe spacerfsleeves thereby precluding the necessity of providing individual fastening means: forsecuring the rail: connectors to corresponding. standards.

Also. an' important object of the invention is to. provide railingrstructureas defined above wherein is;included improvedzstopwmeans .at eachend of the standard engaging proximal rextremities TOf respective spacerzssleeves to therebyprecludereciprocation of the same relative to the standard and thereby obviatingcthe.necessity'of-secliringithe spacer= sleeves to: corresponding standards.

--Ai s'till tfurther important object of the invention. is to provide a-railing assembly which-has. a. novel bracketfor pemnittingeachof: the standards to be secured" to-the verticalzeface. oft-steps constructed of. :various materials :and withf-therstandards. adjustably securedtwithin respective brackets ina manner'sothat such standards may be shifted to any. one of an infinite numberv of 'positions whereby therailingsassembly is adapted to be utilized on steps of different-riser height without modification of-the railing assembly being necessary.

Also an important object-of the'invention: is-to provide a connector .for. securing respective rails to the standards permitting: the'uangularity of such rails relative to the standards totbe changed as desired Without modification or disassembly .of the: railing: structurebeing required.

Other important objects of the inventionrelate to the provision of a novel rail: having a longitudinallyextendingugroove of. unique. configuration therein adapted to receive clampmeans .securing-the rail' to the connector mounted: on.- a-respectivestandardwithoutadditional fasteningzmeans ofanyzkind being necessaryg to; the provision .of a splicer permitting a pair of railstobe joined in. ie'nd to-ends." relationship without the interconnecting meansbeing-visible from the normal position in which the railing assembly is viewed; to afiller strip constructed in a mannerito close those exposed areas of therail groove notireceivingzthe connector joining respectiverailsto'the standards;:xto 'the provision of improved standard and spacer sleeve construction-fabricated :in amanner to 'preelude rotation of the spacer sleeves relative to thestandard vertical supporting structure for ing necessary; tothe provision of a railing assembly having components designed to permit manufacture of the sameby extrusion methods to substantially lowerthe overallcost of the unit; and to other important objects and-de tails of construction of'the instant railing-assembly whichwill be described in detail or become clearas the following specification progresses.

In the drawing:

Figure 1' is a fragmentary, side elevationalviewof a railing assembly embodyingthe present-invention-with thethe handrails being mounted in its normal position onthesidewallof a stairway or the like;

7 Fig. 2 is a fragmentary,-enlarged,-end elevationalviewof the uppermost end of the assembly illustrated-in Fig. 1, with the upper rail being shownin vertical cross section;

Figs. 3 and 4 are cross-sectionalviews taken substantially on the lines. 33 and 4.-4 respectively of Fig. 2.;

' Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, end-view of-the mounting bracket for securingthe-railingstandardtoa base and having the lowermost end of the standard and its associated parts disposed within the bracket in avertical position, with certain components of the assembly beingbroken away-and in-sectionto revealdetails of con struction;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on-the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 and looking downwardly in the direction-of-the arrows;

Fig. 7 is anenlarged,- fragm entary, longitudinal,. sectionalviewthrough a pair of rails disposedinend-to-end relationship and having novel splicer means interconnecting the same; and

Figs.- 8 and 9 are vertical, cross-sectional views taken onthe lines 88 and 99 respectively of Fig. 7, with Fig. 8' illustrating a filler strip disposed in closing-relation ship to the groove inthe lowermost face ;of each of the rails.

A railing assembly-broadly designated by the numeral 10 is shown in the drawing-in its preferred form, three rails 12, la-and 16 supported byupright structure -18 securedto the. vertical face-20 of astairway 22' by bracket means broadly numerated 24 being shown toillustrate the concepts of the invention although it is to beunderstood that a number of upright structures 18am- 4 normally provided-to support any desired number of rails such as 112, 14 and 16.

Each of the rails 12, '14 and 16 comprises anelongated, extruded metal bar-2'6 substantially trapezoidal in transverse configuration and thereby-having parallel, flat upper and lower surfaces 28 and 30 respectively interconnected by angular side faces '32 converging as upper surface28 is approached. Each ofthe bars 26 has alongitudi-nallyextending, centrally-disposed groove 34 in the normally lowermost surface 3li-thereof and defined in part by inner,

' longitudinallyextending groove faces 36 -para llel' with proximal side faces 32 of; bar 26. A longitudinally ex tending 'lug 38 integral-with bar 26withinthe groove 34 thereofand disposed centrally between opposed groove faces 36, is substantially dovetailed in transverse crosssectionandtherebyhas a pair of angular surfaces-'40 parallel with faces 36 as wellas a lower surface-42; parallel with surfaces 28--and 30 and- -spaced inwardly fromthe latter. The groove 34 in bar 26' is thereby;

substantially U-shapedin-transverse sectionandincluding' a pair of-angularly disposed slot-portions '44 converging as x 3 the innermost, longitudinally extending areas thereof are approached.

Structure 18 for supporting rails 12, 14 and '16 in verticallyspacedrelationship to stairway 22 includes a centrally disposed, elongated standard 46 which is sub-' stantially X-shaped in cross-section, as best shown in Fig. 3, whereby standard 46 has a plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced, radial ribs 48 defining longitudinal recesses 50 therebetween at substantially 90 angles with respect to each other. Standards 46 may be of any desired length, but it is to be understood that the same should be of standard length to lower the production cost of railing assembly 10, inasmuch as the effective height of each standard 46 may be varied by changing the disposition of the same within bracket means 24 in a manner to be more fully defined hereinafter.

A connector broadly designated 52 is provided for each of the rails 12, 14 and 16 and serves to mount such rails in predetermined positions on standard 46. Each connector 52 includes a substantially rectangular element 54 having a rectangular passage 56 therein of dimensions substantially equal to the transverse width of standard 46, whereby the outer longitudinal margins of ribs 48 engage respective elements 54 within the corners of passage 56 therethrough. A pair of adjacent projections 58 integral with adjacent inner surfaces of each element 54 and extending inwardly into the passage 56 therethrough are adapted to be complementally received within corresponding adjacent recesses 50 in standard 46 defined by respective pairs of opposed ribs 48.

Frusto-conical extension 60 projecting outwardly from and integral with each element 54 is in alignment with projection 58 and is perpendicular to the axis of standard 46 when each connector 52 is mounted on the standard. A pair of identical, substantially Z-shaped clamps 62 are provided for securing respective rails 12, 14 and 16 to extensions 60 on corresponding elements 54, with each clamp 62 having a relatively short, angularly disposed leg 64 adapted to be received within a corresponding slot portion 44 of groove 34 in bar 26 and joined to a relatively long leg 66 by an intermediate length 68. As best shown in Fig. 2, clamps 62 are adapted to be positioned with the legs 66 thereof in abutting relationship and legs 64 received within corresponding slot portions 44 of bar 26. A stud bolt 70 passing through the lower ends of each leg 66 of clamps 62 and threaded into the outermost extremity of extension 60 rigidly secure respective rails '12, 14 and 16 to connectors 52. It can be recognized that the relative angularity of rails 12, 14 and 16 with respect to standard 46 may be changed by pivoting clamps 62 about the axes of bolts 70 and extension 60.

A number of spacer sleeves 72, 73, 75 and 77 are employed for maintaining connectors 52. and thereby rails 12, 14 and 16 in predetermined relative relationship and also vertically from stairway 22. Each of the sleeves 72, 73, 75 and 77 has four projections 79 integral with respective inner surfaces of the defined sleeves and slidably received within corresponding longitudinal recesses in standard 46. It can be seen that the number of spacer sleeves required will vary with the rails mounted on support 46 but in the railing assembly shown in Fig. 1, wherein three rails designated 12, 14 and 16 are mounted on standard 46, spacer sleeves 72, 73, 75 and 77 serve to maintain rails 12, 14 and 16 in proper spatial relationship on standard 46. Each of the spacer sleeves 72, 73, 75 and 77 comprises a rectangular tube 74 of internal dimensions substantially equal to the external transverse dimensions of standard 46 whereby tubes 74 are in slidable engagement with ribs 48 of standard 46. The longitudinal length of each tube 74 will depend upon the position at which it is desired to support a respective bar 26 but, in the assembly shown in Fig. l, spacer sleeve 72 is relative- 1y short, spacer sleeves 73 and 75 are of intermediate length, while lower spacer sleeve 77 is of substantially greater longitudinal dimension to thereby cause rails 12, '14 and 16 to be located in equally spaced relationship and at a proper level above the steps of stairway 22. Inasmuch as opposed adjacent ends of spacer sleeves 72, 73, 75 and 77 butt against elements 54 of connectors 52, it can be seen that reciprocation of connectors 52 on standard 46 is precluded so long as the defined spacer sleeves are prevented from shifting on standard 46. Means for preventing shifting movement of the spacer sleeves preferably comprises a frusto-pyramidal stop 76 coaxial with standard 46 at each end thereof and secured to the same by respective stud bolts 78 threaded into the outer extremities of standard 46. The greatest transverse dimension of stops 76 is disposed adjacent standard 46 and each stop is of sufiicient width to overlap a respective peripheral margin of one of the spacer sleeves 72 and 77 to thereby prevent reciprocation of the same on standard 46.

Bracket means 24 for securing structure 18 to face 20 of stairway 22 is preferably substantially U-shaped in transverse cross-section and thereby includes a longitudinally extending bight portion 80 adapted to be secured to face 20 of stairway 22 by a number of bolts 82 extending through bight portion 80 into stairway 22 and having the heads 84 thereof recessed within depressions 86 in the normally innermost face of bight portion 80. Parallel, opposed leg portions 88 integral with bight portion 80 are adapted to embrace corresponding, opposed sides of spacer sleeve 77, while the inwardly turned, spaced, parallel tab portions 92 integral with the longitudinally extending margin of each leg portion 88 engage the normally outermost face of spacer sleeve 77 to thereby retain structure 18 within bracket means 24. Setscrews extending laterally through leg portions 88 engage opposed outer faces of spacer sleeve 77 to maintain structure 18 in predetermined relationship relative to bracket means 24, yet permitting vertical adjustment of structure 18 to any one of an infinite number of positions relative to bracket means 24. Upper and lower edges 94 of bracket means 24 are preferably beveled so that the same converge as tab portions 92 are approached to thereby eliminate to a certain extent, sharp corners on bracket means 24 and also enhancing the appearance of bracket means 24.

In order that a pair of bars 26 may be connected in end-to-end relationship to present one of the rails 12, 14 or 16, a splicer broadly numerated 96 is provided for interconnecting abutting ends of bars 26 without detracting from the overall appearance of the rail assembly. As best illustrated in Fig. 9, splicer 96 comprises an elongated, substantially U-shaped component having a pair of angularly disposed, longitudinally extending segments 98 adapted to be received complementally within corresponding slot portions 44 of bars 26, with segments 98 being integral with and interconnected by a central section 100 configured to be disposed within groove 34 in engagement with surfaces 42 of lugs 38 and flush with normally lowermost surfaces 30 thereof.

A pair of bars 26 are interconnected in end-to-end relationship by first inserting splicer 96 into the groove 34 in one end of a bar 26, whereupon the end of another similar bar is shifted into a position abutting the first bar with splicer 96 also located in the groove 34 thereof.

In order to close the normally open groove 34 in each bar 26 and not occupied by clamps 62, a filler strip 102 may be provided and of a length equal to the distance between connectors 52 joined to the same rails 12, 14 or 16 or between such connector and a splicer 96. Each filler strip may be constructed of an elongated, flat wall 104 of a width substantially equal to that of groove 34 adjacent surface 30 of bar 26 and including integral, inwardly projecting, longitudinally extending, parallel spring clips 106 disposed to engage angular surfaces 40 of lug 38 to thereby releasably maintain filler strip 102 in closing relationship to a respective groove 34. Elons gated spacers 108 integral with. wall 104,, parallel with spring. clips- 106, are of: -sufiicientwidth: =to "be received within anrelongated :channel 110 in: surface 42. ofxeach lug 38; spacers '108:maintaining1filler strips 102'in'flush relationship with .respectivezsurfaces' 30 ofrbars 26.

The manner in -whieh. the various components J of railing assembly 101 are :assembledzis' believedto'be obvious from the abovedescriptiongbutit is to be'emphasized that anwimporta'nt 'advantage 'of. the instantirailing unit is therfact'f that the same-:mayr be; placed. in: position on stairway 22i-in: a iminimum 'of timeatinasmuch as his only necessary-to .slip: elements"54 of connectors 52 over standard 46 in conjunction with the proper spacer sleeves 72, 73, 75'- and' 77,-'follow'ed by--securingof-stops 76 to respective endsof =st-andard'46-and threading of bolts '70 through legs 66 of clamps 62 and into extensions 60. The relative height of -rails-12, 14and 1'6 with'respect t0 stairway 22 may bereadilyadjustedby shifting spacer sleeve 77 within bracket means 24 upon loosening of setscrews 90, while the angularity of rails .12, 14 and 16 with respect to structure 18 may be varied by rotating clamps 62 secured to rails 12, 14 and 16 about the axis of corresponding extensions 60.

Another feature of the invention is 'the fact that a large proportion of the components of assembly may be manufactured at a minimum cost through conventional extrusion procedures. This is true of bars 26, standard 46, spacer sleeves 72, 73, 75 and 77, splicers 96 and filler strips 102. Furthermore, bracket means 24 may be formed of sheet material suitably bent into configuration if desired.

Another important advantage of railing assembly 10 is the manner in which the relative distance between rails 12, 14 and 16 may be easily changed as desired by merely utilizing spacer sleeves 73 and 75 of different lengths. In this respect it can be appreciated that an elongated tube 74 may be provided with assembly 10 whereupon the contractor may out such tube into desired lengths to present spacer sleeves for maintaining connectors 52 in predetermined relative relationship.

The utilization of substantially Z-shaped clamps 62 is also of importance because of the manner in which rails 12, 14 and 16 are effectively secured to connectors 52 without any type of additional fastening means in the nature of bolts or the like being required and which would not only detract from the appearance of railing assembly 10 but would also increase the fabrication time thereof.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a railing assembly, an elongated rail provided with a longitudinally extending groove in the normally lower face thereof; an upright standard for supporting the rail and adapted to be secured at the lowermost end thereof to a base; a connector joined to the rail within said groove thereof and including an element slidably disposed on said standard; and sleeve means telescoped over said standard on opposed sides of said element for maintaining the connector and thereby the rail in predetermined vertically spaced relationship relative to said base.

2. A railing assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sleeve means are freely slidable on said standard and wherein is provided stop means secured to the standard on opposed extremities thereof in engagement with proximal sleeve means for preventing reciprocation of the sleeve means and thereby the connector on said standard.

3. A railing assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the sleeve means adjacent each extremity of the standard terminate at corresponding outer ends of the standard, said stop means being releasably joined to corresponding outer ends of the standard and engaging respective proximal ends of said sleeve means.

4. A railing assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said-lconnectorincludes clamp-means: engageablerwith the railing withimsaidcgroovezthereof and pivotally. connected to said element to permit: swinging movement of :the-rail relative to said element andv thereby the standard.

- 5 A railing assemblycas setforth 'in claim: l-wherein is provided interengageable structure on the element; and standard respectively :for; preventing rotation of: the elementabout-the axisof saidstandard.

6; zrailing: assembly: as set forth in: claim 4 wherein said structure includes aprojection integral;=with:- said element and extending inwardly toward the. axis thereof; said. standard having-r a. longitudinally extending, recess therein 'substantially complementally :receiving.:said projectiom.

7. iAn'ailingassemhly as-"set'forth in claim: 6: wherein said standard :has; .-'a: number of longitudinally 1 extending," circumferentially spaced recesses therein adapted-mare: ceive saidpnojectionionrthe element;

8. A railing assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said standard is substantially X-shaped in transverse cross-section presenting a number of equally circumfer entially spaced, longitudinally extending ribs defining recesses at right angles to each other and adapted to receive said projection on the element.

9. A railing assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said element is rectangular in cross-section and has a transversely rectangular passage therethrough complementally receiving the standard whereby the ribs of the standard engage the inner passage surfaces of the ele ment.

10. A railing assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said sleeve means are each rectangular in cross-section and complementally receive said standard whereby rotation of the sleeve means relative to the standard is preeluded.

11. A railing assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein is provided means for mounting the standard on the base and including a substantially U-shaped, elongated bracket adapted to be secured to the base and receiving the lowermost end of the lower sleeve means and said standard therein in telescoped, substantially surrounding relationship and fastening means releasably connecting said lower sleeve means to said bracket.

12. A railing assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said fastening means permits adjustment of the standard and sleeve means thereon relative to the bracket to any one of an infinite number of positions.

13. In a railing assembly, an elongated rail provided with a longitudinally extending groove in the normally lower face thereof; an upright standard for supporting the rail and adapted to be secured at the lowermost end there of to a base; an element slidably mounted on said standard and provided with an elongated, outwardly projecting extension in substantially perpendicular relationship to the standard; clamp means pivotally mounted on the extension for rotation on the longitudinal axis thereof and including a pair of substantially Z-shaped components having angularly disposed first legs remote from the extension removably and complementally disposed within said groove in the rail in position to releasably secure the latter to said extension and thereby the standard; spacer sleeves telescoped over the standard on opposed sides of the element; and stop means secured to the standard and engaging respective spacer sleeves for preventing reciprocation of the sleeves and thereby the rail relative to the standard.

14. A railing assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said rail is provided with an integral, longitudinally extending, transversely dovetailed lug disposed centrally within said groove and presenting angularly positioned, opposed, longitudinally extending slots complementally receiving respective legs of the components.

15. A railing assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein is provided an elongated, transversely U-shaped splicer having angularly disposed legs converging as the outer longitudinal margins thereof are approached and complementally received within respective aligned slots of a pair of rails in end-to-end relationship.

16. A railing assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein is provided filler strip means for closing those portions of the groove in said rail clear of said legs of the components, said strip being provided with an outer flat wall, and spring clip means integral with the normally innermost face of said wall and engaging opposed, angularly disposed faces of the lug for releasably securing said strip to the rail. 17. A railing assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said components have elongated second legs disposed in parallel, abutting relationship, there being bolt means extending through and releasably securing the second legs to the extension and thereby said angularly disposed first legs to the rail.

18. In a railing assembly, a plurality of elongated rails each having a longitudinally'extending groove in the normally lower face thereof; at least one upright standard for supporting the rails and adapted to be secured at the lowermost end thereof to abasej a connector for each of the rails respectively and joined to correspondingrails within the grooves thereof and each connector including an element slidably disposed on the standard; spacer sleeves slidably mounted on the standard between adjacent elements and on opposed ends of the standard; and stop means on each of said opposed ends of the standard and engaging respective sleeves for preventing reciprocation of the latter relative to the standard.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 957,677 Howell May 10, 1910 2,807,834 Blum Oct. 1, 1957 

